Steering column lock for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A retractable steering column lock for vehicles. The lock is urged by a spring to a locking position and can be retracted from the locking position into a retracted position releasing the steering column for turning movement. A rotary key-operated assembly forms part of the ignition switch structure and coacts through a motion transmission with the lock for retracting the latter to its retracted position when the ignition switch is turned on. A swingable lever assembly responds to turning on of the ignition switch for releasably holding the lock in its retracted position while when the ignition switch is turned off and the key is withdrawn, the lock is automatically released for return to its locking position.

United States Patent [151 3,641,489 Shimornura [451 Feb. 8, 1972 [54]STEERING COLUMN LOCK FOR 3,138,780 6/1964 Jacobsen ..340/52 D VEHICLESPnmary Examiner-Donald J. Yusko [72] Inventor: Yoshisadn Shimomura,Tokyo-to, Japan Assistant Examiner G|en R Swan", m [73] Assignee: YushinSeiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, A wmey inberg& Blak Tokyo, Japan [22]Filed: Oct. 8, 1969 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 864767 A retractablesteering column lock for vehicles. The lock is urged by a spring to alocking position and can be retracted [30] Foreign Application PriorityData from the locking position into a retracted position releasing c:t12 1968 Japan 43,88,705 the steering column for turning movement. Arotary key- Operated assembly forms p of the ignition Switch structure52 us. c1. ..340/s2 n, 70/252,180/114, and acts s a msmissicm with the200/44 retracting the latter to its retracted position when the ignition[51 Int. Cl. ..Br 25/02,];60: 25/10 Switch is turned A swingable leverassembly responds to 58] Field of Search ..340/52 D; 252; 200/44;turning on of the ignition switch for releasably holding the 307/10 AT;/1 14 lock in its retracted position while when the ignition switch isturned off and the key is withdrawn, the lock is automatically [56]References Cited released for return to its locking position.

. "WK EDVWE QQTENTS. in laimfinmwing Figures 2,063,088 l2/l93 6Gerald.... .7( 252 (I, a IR L e2; r J 6- 5 l6 PMENTEBFEB a ran 3.641.489

sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR YOSHISADA Sl-l/MORURA BY J22 A ORNEYS STEERINGCOLUMN LOCK r011 VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to locking devices for releasably locking the steeringcolumn of a vehicle so that the vehicle cannot be driven when it isbroken into by unauthorized people.

Conventional structures of this type generally make it possible torender the steering column lock operative when the ignition key isremoved from the ignition switch while rendering the steering columnlock inoperative when the key is introdueed into the ignition switch ofthe vehicle and the ignition is turned on. Thus, such conventionalconstructions inelude mechanism for sensing movement of a key into andout of the ignition switch and for providing a corresponding operationof the steering column lock in response to sensing of the presence orabsence of this key. Such mechanisms, particularly the mechanism whichresponds to the presence or absence of a key and actuates the steeringcolumn lock accordingly are relatively complex, expensive, diflicult toinstall, subject to faulty operation, and of relatively short operatinglife.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a construction of the above general typewhich will greatly improve the present state of the art.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction of theabove type which can be operated very smoothly in the invention to avoidany such resistance to movement of the components.

7 In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide aconstruction which is simple to manufacture, requires an extremely smallnumber of simple, rugged components, and produces a unit which is easyto install, which has a long operating life, and which has manyadvantages from the standpoint of manufacturing and practical use of theconstruction, such as relatively easy operations during insertion andwithdrawal of the key.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide aconstruction of this type which will have. a practically faultlessoperation during its long operating life while at the same time beingextremely inexpensive to operate, purchase,

and

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a constructionof this type which is capable of warning the operator that the key hasbeen lefi in the ignition switch lock, in the event that the operatorseeks to leave the vehicle without removing the key, so that in this wayalso a reliable operation of the steering column lock is assured andfurther safety is achieved.

In accordance with the invention, the structure includes a retractablelock means movable between a locking position, preventing turning of asteering column, and a retracted position releasing the steering columnfor free turning movement. A spring means coacts with this lock meansfor urging the latter to its locking position. A key-operated means issupported for rotary movement and forms part of a structure foractuating the ignition switch, this key-operated means being adapted toreceive a key by means of which the latter means is manually operated. Amotion-transmitting means is operatively connected with the key-operatedmeans for movement therewith and transmits the turning movement thereofto the retractable lock means for retracting the latter from its lockingto its retracted position in opposition to the spring means when thekey-operated means is turned from an off to cludes a releasable holdingmeans which operates automatically to releasably hold the lock means inits retracted position, in opposition to the force of the spring means,as long as the key-operated means is in the on position. When the latteris turned back to the off position, the releasable holding meansresponds automatically to release the lock means for return to itslocking position by the spring means.

BRIEF osscmmou or DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings which form part of thisapplicationand in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of part of the structureof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view showing the steering column lock ofthe invention in its assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a partly broken away and partly sectional schematic elevationshowing further details of the structure of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded illustration of the keyreceiving partof the structure of the invention'provided with a structure for giving awarning that the key has not been removed;

FIG. 5 is a partly sectional schematic top plan view of the structure ofFIG. 4 showing the structure with a key in the keyoperated means; and gI FIG. 6 is schematic wiring diagram of the circuitry of the warningsystem.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1shows a'support'means l in the form of a hollow substantiallycylindrical body having, however, a flat upper surface from which a pairof axially extending ribs project upwardly in the manner shown mostclearly in FIG. 1. This support means 1 remains stationary during theoperations and supports for rotary movement, in its hollow interior, arotary key-operated means 2 which forms the key-receiving component of aignition-switch actuating sembly as is present on most modern vehiclessuch as passenger automobiles and the like. The inner end of the rotarykey-operated means 2 is fixed to a rotary motion-transriiittihg means 3which will turn with the key-operated means 2. Thus,

. as is apparent from FIG. 1, the. end of the motion-transmitting means3 which is nearest to the inner end of the rotary means 2 is formed withan elongated opening, and this opening receives with a tight, press fit,for example, a projection at the inner end of the key-operated means 2which is of a configuration matching that of this opening, so that inthis way the components 2 and 3 are connected to each other for turningmovement as a unit.

The structure also includes a retractable lock means 5 having at one enda locking projection 4 the outer end of which is adapted to be receivedin an opening of a steering coluinn, this opening having a configurationmatching the noncireular configuration of the outer end of the lockmember 4. The retractable lock means 5 includes, fixed to the projection4, an elongated rigid body of metal or plastic formed with asubstantially rectangular opening passing therethrough as isparticularly apparent from FIG. 1. The motion-transmitting means 3extends through this rectangular opening of the body of the lock means5, and between its opposed ends the motion-trans- Irritting means 3 iscut away so as to have a substantially semicircular cross sectionproviding the means 3 between its ends with a flat carnming surface 12.This part of the motiontransmitting means 3 is also provided with acamming projection 12' visible in FIG. 1. When the lock means 5 is inits locking position, the lett vertical inner surface of the body'oflock means 5, which is visible in FIG. 1, will rest flat against thecarnming surface 12 of the motion-transmitting means}, with the partshaving the position at this time which is shown most clearly in FIG. 2.A spring means 15 coacts with the end an on position. Finally, thecombination of the invention inof the lock means 5 distant from thelocking projection 4 thereof in order to urge the lock means 5 to itslocking position illustrated in FIG. 2.

Thus, the support means 1 includes an outer cylinder 6 to supportthekey-operatedmeans 2 for rotary movement, and this key-operated. means 2a formed with a key-receiving recess? into which the operating key isintroduced in a conventional manner. With the structure of theinvention, how ever, there is a releasable holding means for releasablyholding the lock mearn 5 in its retracted position, and this releasableholding means includes the assembly of levers 9, l1 and a displaceablemember 8 in the form of a spherical ball which is displaced uponintroduction of a key into the keyhole 7 in order to actuate thereleasable holding means 8-11. Thus, when a key is introduced into thekey-operated means 2, the ball 8 will be displaced upwardly out of arecess in which it is located when in the dotted-line position shown inFIG. 3 into the upper solid-line position shown in FIG. 3 where the ballmember 8 is located just outside of and flush with the exterior surfaceof therotary key-operated means 2. Therefore when the. latter is turnedafier introduction of a key, the ball member 8 will be in rollingcontact with the exterior surface of the key-operated means 2 and willremain in the outer solidline position shown in FIG. 3.

In addition to the ball member 8, the releasable holding means includesthe pair of levers 9 and 11 which are pivoted to each other by way of acommon pivot pin which extends transversely across the space between andis carried by the pair of upper ribs shown in FIG. 1 projecting upwardlyfrom the top flat surface of the substantially cylindrical body 6. Thelevers 9 and 11 are received between these ribs and are turnable aboutthe common axis of the common pivot pin which extends between and iscarried thereby. As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3, at its right end thelever 9 has a free end portion overlapping a left end of the lever 11situated to the left of the pivot axis, so that the lever 11 is limitedin its clockwise tuming beyond the position shown in FIG. 3 byengagement of the left end of the lever 11 with the right end of thelever 9, as viewedinFIG.3.0ntheotherhand,thelever9canturnina clockwisedirection with respect to the lever 11, as viewed in FIG. 3, and thelever 9 fixedly carries a leaf spring 10 which bears downwardly againstthe lever 11 to urge the latter in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 3. Thus, when the lever 11 is turned in a counterclockwisedirection with respect to the lever 9, as viewed in FIG. 3, it ispossible for the spring 10 to yield whileimmediately returning the lever11 to the position thereof shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the lever 9when the lever 11 is free to turn in a clockwise direction.

The lock means 5 includes along the upper surface of the rectangularopening thereof an elongated portion 13 which extentk beneath the lever11 and holds the latter turned in a counterclockwise direction from theposition thereof shown in FIG. 3, in opposition to the spring 10, aslong as the lock means 5 is in its locking position. However, when thelock means 5 is sufliciently retracted away from is locking position,the free end of the elongated portion 13, situated between the ends ofthe rectangular opening, will move beyond the lever 11 so that thespring 10 can immediately displace the lever 11 to the position shown inFIG. 3 where it extends in the path of movement of the elongated portion13 when the latter is moved by the spring to the lock position, and as aresult this releasable holding means will act through the parts 11 and13 to hold the lock means efi'ectively in its retracted position inopposition to the force of the spring meansxl5.

As'may be seen from the phantom lines in FIG. 2, the above-describedstructure is adapted to be situated within a suitable housing 14 inwhich the spring means 15 is accommodated together with the remainingstructure described above. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the structureincludes an additional coil spring 17 compressed between a wall of thel4 and receiving a boss at the free end of the lever 9 distant from thelever l 1 so that the spring 17 urges the lever 9 ins counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 3. As is also apparent from FIG. 3, thisfree end of the lever 9 has an additional projection formed, forexample, with a concave surface forming part of a sphere of the samemagnitude as the ball 8 to receive the latter with a sliding contact sothat the ball 8 is free to rotate with respect to the left free end ofthe lever 9, as viewed in FIG. 3, while remaining in operativeengagement therewith in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

Furthermore, there is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 theswitch assembly 16 which is actuated by the free end of themotion-transmitting means 3 which is distant from the key-operated means2. Thus, when the key-operated means 2 is turned from its off to its onposition, the switch 16 is turned from its open to its closed position,and in this way the electrical system of the vehicle is energized.

It should be noted that although the projecting portion I2 of thecamming surface 12 appears relatively short in FIG. I, this is only dueto the perspective illustration of the components and actually theprojection 12' extends approximately through half the distance betweenthe opposed ends of motion-transmitting means 3 where they extend fromthe camming surface 12.

The housing 14 is fixedly mounted on the outer tubular casing in whichthe steering column is located in any suitable manner as by being boltedor fixedly strapped thereto, and the rotary steering column is formedwith an opening to receive the free end of the lock projection 4, aspointed out above. If it should happen that when the vehicle is stoppedthe opening of the steering column is not in line with the lockprojection 4, the operation need only turn the steering column until thelock projection 4 snaps into the opening of the steering column. Thus,when the projection 4 snaps into the corresponding opening of thesteering column the spring 15 can expand to situate the retractable lockmeans 5 in its locking position shown in FIG. 2.

Assuming now that the parts are in the positionof FIG. 2 with thesteering column locked against turning movement and with the key out ofthe key-operated means 2, it will be i seen that this is the non'nalposition of the vehicle when it is not used. At this time the ball 8 isin its lower dotted-line position shown in FIG. 3, received in asuitable recess of the keyoperated means 2, and the spring 17 isexpanded so that the levers 9,11 are angularly positioned in acounterclockwise direction beyond the position thereof shown in FIG. 3with the lever 11 actually situated upwardly beyond the upper surface ofthe elongated portion 13 which extends freely beneath'the free end ofthe lever 11 in the position of the parts shown in FIG. 2.

When it is desired to operate the vehicle the operator will of courseintroduce a key into the keyhole 7. The result is that the key willdisplace the ball 8 upwardly to the solid-line position shown in FIG. 3,and as a result the lever 9 is turned in a clockwise direction to theposition shown in FIG. 3, in oppodtion to the spring 17 which is furthercompressed at this time. Of course, the spring 10 will act on the lever11 to urge the latter to follow the turning movement of the lever 9, butthe elongated portion 13 will prevent suchturning movement of the lever11 from taking place.

Now the operator will turn the key in a clockwise direction as viewedfrom the front of the dash, and the result is that themotion-transmitting means 3 will turn with the key-operated means 2while the switch 16 is advanced toward its closed position, and thus thecamming portion 12, 12' of the motiontransmitting means 3 will act onthe lock means 5 to retract the latter in opposition to the force of thespring 15 toward the fully retracted position of the lock means 5 wherethe projection 4 is situated out of the opening of the steering columnso that the latter is released for turning movement.

These operations continue until the elongated portion 13 moves justbeyond the lever 11 so that the spring 10 can now turn the lever 11 tothe position of FIG. 3 where the lever l l is situated in line with andin the path of movement of the free end of the elongated portion 13, sothat the spring 15 cannot return the lock means 5 from its retracted toits locking posi-.

tion until the releasable holding means which includes the lever 11 isdisplaced to its release position. In the retracted position of the lockmeans 5 the motion-transmitting means 3 has been turned forapproximately 90- so that the projection I2 is apparent in FIG. 3, andthe manner in which the upper inner surface of the rectangular openingof the body of lock means 5 is stepped to accommodate the projection 12is also apparent from FIG. 3.

Thus, with further clockwise turning of the key the parts will remain inthe unlocked position, and even when the key is returned .toward itsinitial ofi' position, the parts will still remain in the unlockingposition. Thus, the lever 11 of the releasable holding means coacts withthe free end of the elongated portion 13 of the retractable lock meansto maintain the latter in its retracted position.

It is only when the key-operated means 2 has been turned back all theway up to its ofi' position that it becomes possible for the ball 8 todrop back down into the recess where the ball 8 is accommodated in thedotted-line position shown in FIG. 3, and now the spring 17 can expandto turn the levers 9,11 as a unit in a counterclockwise directiondisplacing the lever 11 upwardly beyond the portion 13 so that thespring 15 can now expand to return the lock means 5 to its lockingposition. It is to be noted that these operations will not take placeuntil the key is removed. Even when the key-operated means 2 has beenturned all the way back to its initial off position, the parts willremain in the position shown in FIG.3 with the lock means 5 retracteduntil the key is removed out of the keyoperated means 2 so as to releasethe ball 8 for return to its dotted-line position shown in FIG. 3.

Thus, with the structure of the invention the displaceable member 8 ofthe releasable holding means senses the presence or absence of a key inthe key-operated means 2 and it is the movement of the displaceablemember 8 which brings about a conditioning of the levers 9,1 l toprovide either for releasable holding of the lock means in its retractedposition or for release thereof for return to the locking position. Thisstructure operates very smoothly without any substantial resistance tomrning of the key in either direction so that many manufacturingadvantages are achieved and a practical use of the structure with a longoperating life and easy operation thereof, particularly during insertionand removal of the key, are assured. It is to be noted that the numberof components required is extremely small so that the parts can beinexpensively manufactured while at the same time having ruggedconstruction and easy assembly, contributing toward a long trouble-freeoperating life.

It is apparent from the above description that if the operator of thevehicle should leave the vehicle without removing the key from thekey-operated means 2, then the lock means 5 will not in fact be returnedto its locking position and the entire structure would not effectivelyprevent movement of the parked vehicle if the latter were broken into byan unauthorized person. Furthermore, where the vehicle has doors whichautomatically lock, if the key is left in the vehicle, in thekey-operated means 2, it would not be possible for the operator to openthe door of the vehicle once it has been locked unless the operatorhappens to have a spare key. It is therefore highly desirable to providea construction which will warn the operator that the key has not beenremoved, and FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a modification of the structure of theinvention to include such a warning arrangement. With this constructionan electrically operated warning device such as a humor or a warninglamp is energized if the operator opens the door of the vehicle whilethe key remains in the keyhole 7. In the example illustratedschematically in FIG. 6 there is a wanting lamp 30 situated so that itis clearly visible to the operator and this warning lamp will becomeenergized under the above conditions.

Refening to FIG. 5 which shows the key-operated means 2 with a keytherein, this key-operated means 2 is formed with a transverse bore 21passing radially through the wall thereof to communicate with thekeyhole 7 which receives the key. A

substantially cylindrical pin 22 is freely slidable in the bore 21 whichwith the pin 22 is angularly displaced by about from the recess whichreceives the ball 8. When the key is introduced not only is the boremember 8 displaced outwardly, as described above, but in addition thepin 22 is engaged by the key to be displaced radially away from the axisof the keyoperated means 2, and the pin 22 will now be in the positionshown in FIG. 5.

The substantially cylindrical body 6 of the support means 1 isillustrated in section in FIG. 5 and is formed with an opening which isaligned with the bore 21 when the key-operated means 2 is in its offposition. This opening of the body 6 receives a reduced-diameter portionof a thrust pin 25, and when the pin 22 is displaced outwardly to theposition shown in FIG. 5 it is possible for the key-operated means 2 torotate so that its outer surface will engage the reduced inner portionof the thrust pin 25 which does not turn with the key-operated means 2.However, when the key-operated means 2 is returned to its 01? positionthe thrust pin.25 will again be in operative engagement with the outerend of the pin 22 so as to urge the latter inwardly toward the axis ofthe key-operated means 2.

The body 6 is formed with an elongated axial groove which accommodates aleaf spring 27 forming part of a nonnally open switch which isillustrated in FIG. 6. An elongated strip 23 of insulating material isfixed to the body 6 and extends along the axial groove thereof whichcommunicates with the bore which receives the reduced inner end of thethrust pin 25, and this plate of nonconductive insulating material 23fixedly carries a stationary contact 24 of the normally open switchillustrated in FIG. 6. The thrust pin 25 has an outer portion ofenlarged diameter extending through an opening of the insulating plate23 and a free end of the leaf spring 26 presses the thrust pin 25inwardly toward the axis of the key-operated means 2. In this way theparts have the exterior appearance il- Iustrated in FIG. 4 while theycoact in the manner shown in the sectional illustration of FIG. 5.

The normally open switch 24, 27 is located in the circuit of FIG. 6 inseries with a normally closed switch 32 which includes a spring 34urging the switch member 36 toward its closed position. As long as thedoor 38 of the vehicle remains in the closed position shownschematically in FIG. 6, the switch 32 is maintained open in oppositionto the spring 34. However, upon opening of the door 38, the spring 34can expand to place the switch 32 in its closed position.

Thus, with this construction as long as the key is in the keyoperatedmeans 2, the normally open switch 24,27 will be closed. If under theseconditions the door 38 is opened, the switch 32 will also close so as toimmediately energize the warning device 30, letting the operator knowthat he is about to leave the vehicle without having removed the key. Itis to be noted that this operation is provided not only when theignition switch is turned off and the operator leaves the nonrunningvehicle without removing the key, but also when the vehicle stops andthe operator leaves the engine running and opens the door of the vehicleto leave the latter. Under these latter conditions also the warningdevice 30 will be energized, so that the structure of the inventionoperates even when the vehicle stops even though the engine has not beenturned off.

If, after returning the key-operated means 2 to its off position, theoperator removes the key, then the normally open switch 24, 27 will beautomatically placed in its open position by displacement of thrust pin25 inwardly by spring 26 so as to displace the springy switch member 27away from the contact 24. Now when the operator opens the door 38, theswitch 32 closes but because the switch 24,27 is open the warning device30 will not be energized.

Thus, with the structure of the invention the operator will be warnedthat the steering column lock has not been returned to its lockingposition when the operator seeks to leave the vehicle. The warningstructure shown in FIGS. 4-6 is exceedingly simple and very effective.All of the parts described above in connection with FIGS. l3 remainunchanged, and it l0 I022 A 0705 is only required to provide anadditional bore 21 in the keyoperated means 2 in order to accommodatethe pin 22. The switch structure carried by the body 6 is extremelysimple and easily accommodated.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a vehicle having a steering column, retractable lock meansmovable between a locking position preventing turningof the steeringcolumn and a retracted position releas ing the steering column forturning movement, spring means coacting with said retractable lock meansfor urging the latter to said locking position thereof, rotary,key-operated means forming part of an ignition switch assembly, saidkey-operated means being turnable between on and off positions whenactuated by a key, motion-transmitting means coacting with saidkey-operated means for transmitting movement from the latter to saidretractable lock means for retracting the latter to said retractedposition thereof when said key-operated means is turned from said off tosaid on position thereof and for releasing said lock means for movementfrom said retracted to said locking position by said spring means whensaid keyoperated means is returned from said on to said off position,and releasable holding means coacting with said key-operated means andwith said lock means for releasably holding said lock means inopposition to said spring means in said retracted position when saidkey-operated means is turned from said ofi' to said on position and forreleasing said lock means for movement by said spring means to saidlocking position thereof when said key-operated means is turned fromsaid on to said off position, and a key is withdrawn therefrom, asupport means surrounding and carrying said rotary key-operated means,said releasable holding means including a pair of levers pivotallyconnected to each other and carried by said support means for turningmovement about a common axis, said levers coacting with each other forturning movement as a unit in a direction releasing said lock means forreturn by said spring means to said locking position and for independentmovement when turning in an opposite direction, one of said leversengaging and coacting with said releasable lock means and the other ofsaid levers coacting with said rotary key-operated means, saidreleasable holding means including a spring acting on said one lever forurging the latter with respect to said other lever to the position ithas with respect thereto when said levers turn in the directionreleasing said lock means for return to said locking position thereof,said releasable holding means including a displaceable member respondingto insertion of a key in said key-operated means for displacement to aposition turning said other lever with respect to said one lever in adirection opposite to the release direction, said lock means having anelongated portion engaging said one lever when said lock means is insaid locking position thereof for limiting turning of said one leverwith said other lever in said direction opposite to said reversedirection, said one lever being moved by said spring of said releasableholding means into the path of locking movement of said elongatedportion of said lock means when said elongated portion is retractedbeyond said one lever during displacement of said lock means from saidlocking to said retracted position thereof, so that said one levercoacts with said elongated portion of said lock means for, releasablymaintaining the latter retracted in opposition to said spring means, andan additional spring coacting with said other lever for swinging thelatter and said one lever therewith in the release direction uponwithdrawal of a key from said key-operated means after the latter hasbeen returned from said on to said off position, said additional springacting through said other lever to return said displacing member intothe path of movement of a key which will subsequently be introducedagain into said key-operated means.

2. For use in a vehicle having a steering column, retractable lock meansmovable between a locking position preventing turning of the steeringcolumn and a retracted position releasing the steering column forturning movement, spring means coacting with said retractable lock meansfor urging the latter to said locking position thereof, rotary,key-operated means ing with said other lever for swinging the latter andsaid one forming part of an ignition switch assembly, said key-operatedmeans being tumable between on and off positions when actuated by a key,motion-transmitting means coacting with said key-operated means fortransmitting movement from the latter to said retractable lock means forretracting the latter to said retracted position thereof when saidkey-operated means is turned from said off to said on position thereofand for releasing said lock means for movement from said retracted tosaid locking position by said spring means when said keyoperated meansis returned from said on to said off position, and releasable holdingmeans coacting with said key'operated means and with said lock means forreleasably holding said lock means in opposition to said spring means insaid retracted position when said key-operated means is turned from saidoff to said on position and for releasing said lock means for movementby said spring means to said locking position thereof when saidkey-operated means is turned from said on to said off position, and akey is withdrawn therefrom, wherein said motion-transmitting means isconnected with said rotary keyoperated means for turning movementtherewith and includes a camming portion engaging a portion of said lockmeans for camming the latter in opposition to said spring means to saidretracted position upon turning of said key-operated means from said onposition thereof, said lock means being in the form of a body formedwith a substantially rectangular opening passing therethrough and havinga locking projection extending therefrom, said motion-transmitting meansextending through said opening of said body and having within saidopening said camming portion which engages a portion of said body whichdefines part of said opening thereof, a support means surrounding andcarrying said rotary key-operated means, said releasable holding meansincluding a pair of levers pivotally connected to each other and carriedby said support means for tuming movement about a common axis, saidlevers coacting with each other for turning movement as a unit in adirection releasing said lock means for return by said spring means tosaid locking position and for independent movement when turning in anopposite direction, one of said levers engaging and coacting with saidreleasable lock means and the other of said levers coacting with saidrotary key-operated means, said releasable holding means including aspring acting on said one lever for urging the latter with respecttosaid other lever to the position it has with respect thereto when saidlevers turn in the direction releasing said lock means for return tosaid locking position thereof, said releasable holding means including adisplaceable member responding to insertion of a key in saidkey-operated means for displacement to a posin'on turning said otherlever with respect to said one lever in a direction opposite to therelease direction, said lock means having an elongatedportionengagingsaid one lever when said lock means is in said locking positionthereof for limiting turning of said one lever with said other lever insaid direction opposite to said release direction, said one lever beingmoved by said spring of said releasable holding means into the path oflocking movement of said elongated portion of said lock means when saidelongated portion is retracted beyond said one lever during displacementof said lock means from said locking to said retracted position thereof,so that said one lever coacts with said elongated portion of said lockmeans for releasably maintaining the latter retracted in opposition tosaid spring means, and an additional spring coactlever therewith in therelease direction upon withdrawal of a key from said key-operated meansafter the latter has been returned from said on to said oh position,said additional spring acting through said other lever to return saiddisplacing member into the path of movement of a key which willsubsequently be introduced again into said keyoperated means.

3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a warning switch means coactswith said key-operated means for assuming a closed position as long as akey is not withdrawn from said key-operated means even when the latteris returned to said off position thereof, so that said warning switchmeans can form part of a circuit for warning the operator of the vehiclethat the key has not been withdrawn from said key-operated means whenthe operator opens a door of the vehicle, whereby the operator will bereminded to withdraw the key from the key-operated means to free saidreleasable holding means for movement to said release position so thatsaid lock means can assume said locking pofition thereof preventingturning of the steering column.

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1. For use in a vehicle having a steering column, retractable lock meansmovable between a locking position preventing turning of the steeringcolumn and a retracted position releasing the steering column forturning movement, spring means coacting with said retractable lock meansfor urging the latter to said locking position thereof, rotary,key-operated means forming part of an ignition switch assembly, saidkey-operated means being turnable between on and off positions whenactuated by a key, motiontransmitting means coacting with saidkey-operated means for transmitting movement from the latter to saidretractable lock means for retracting the latter to said retractedposition thereof when said key-operated means is turned from said off tosaid on position thereof and for releasing said lock means for movementfrom said retracted to said locking position by said spring means whensaid key-operated means is returned from said on to said off position,and releasable holding means coacting with said key-operated means andwith said lock means for releasably holding said lock means inopposition to said spring means in said retracted position when saidkey-operated means is turned from said off to said on position and forreleasing said lock means for movement by said spring means to saidlocking position thereof when said key-operated means is turned fromsaid on to said off position, and a key is withdrawn therefrom, asupport meAns surrounding and carrying said rotary key-operated means,said releasable holding means including a pair of levers pivotallyconnected to each other and carried by said support means for turningmovement about a common axis, said levers coacting with each other forturning movement as a unit in a direction releasing said lock means forreturn by said spring means to said locking position and for independentmovement when turning in an opposite direction, one of said leversengaging and coacting with said releasable lock means and the other ofsaid levers coacting with said rotary key-operated means, saidreleasable holding means including a spring acting on said one lever forurging the latter with respect to said other lever to the position ithas with respect thereto when said levers turn in the directionreleasing said lock means for return to said locking position thereof,said releasable holding means including a displaceable member respondingto insertion of a key in said key-operated means for displacement to aposition turning said other lever with respect to said one lever in adirection opposite to the release direction, said lock means having anelongated portion engaging said one lever when said lock means is insaid locking position thereof for limiting turning of said one leverwith said other lever in said direction opposite to said reversedirection, said one lever being moved by said spring of said releasableholding means into the path of locking movement of said elongatedportion of said lock means when said elongated portion is retractedbeyond said one lever during displacement of said lock means from saidlocking to said retracted position thereof, so that said one levercoacts with said elongated portion of said lock means for releasablymaintaining the latter retracted in opposition to said spring means, andan additional spring coacting with said other lever for swinging thelatter and said one lever therewith in the release direction uponwithdrawal of a key from said key-operated means after the latter hasbeen returned from said on to said off position, said additional springacting through said other lever to return said displacing member intothe path of movement of a key which will subsequently be introducedagain into said key-operated means.
 2. For use in a vehicle having asteering column, retractable lock means movable between a lockingposition preventing turning of the steering column and a retractedposition releasing the steering column for turning movement, springmeans coacting with said retractable lock means for urging the latter tosaid locking position thereof, rotary, key-operated means forming partof an ignition switch assembly, said key-operated means being turnablebetween on and off positions when actuated by a key, motion-transmittingmeans coacting with said key-operated means for transmitting movementfrom the latter to said retractable lock means for retracting the latterto said retracted position thereof when said key-operated means isturned from said off to said on position thereof and for releasing saidlock means for movement from said retracted to said locking position bysaid spring means when said key-operated means is returned from said onto said off position, and releasable holding means coacting with saidkey-operated means and with said lock means for releasably holding saidlock means in opposition to said spring means in said retracted positionwhen said key-operated means is turned from said off to said on positionand for releasing said lock means for movement by said spring means tosaid locking position thereof when said key-operated means is turnedfrom said on to said off position, and a key is withdrawn therefrom,wherein said motion-transmitting means is connected with said rotarykey-operated means for turning movement therewith and includes a cammingportion engaging a portion of said lock means for camming the latter inopposition to said spring means to said retracted position upon turningof sAid key-operated means from said on position thereof, said lockmeans being in the form of a body formed with a substantiallyrectangular opening passing therethrough and having a locking projectionextending therefrom, said motion-transmitting means extending throughsaid opening of said body and having within said opening said cammingportion which engages a portion of said body which defines part of saidopening thereof, a support means surrounding and carrying said rotarykey-operated means, said releasable holding means including a pair oflevers pivotally connected to each other and carried by said supportmeans for turning movement about a common axis, said levers coactingwith each other for turning movement as a unit in a direction releasingsaid lock means for return by said spring means to said locking positionand for independent movement when turning in an opposite direction, oneof said levers engaging and coacting with said releasable lock means andthe other of said levers coacting with said rotary key-operated means,said releasable holding means including a spring acting on said onelever for urging the latter with respect to said other lever to theposition it has with respect thereto when said levers turn in thedirection releasing said lock means for return to said locking positionthereof, said releasable holding means including a displaceable memberresponding to insertion of a key in said key-operated means fordisplacement to a position turning said other lever with respect to saidone lever in a direction opposite to the release direction, said lockmeans having an elongated portion engaging said one lever when said lockmeans is in said locking position thereof for limiting turning of saidone lever with said other lever in said direction opposite to saidrelease direction, said one lever being moved by said spring of saidreleasable holding means into the path of locking movement of saidelongated portion of said lock means when said elongated portion isretracted beyond said one lever during displacement of said lock meansfrom said locking to said retracted position thereof, so that said onelever coacts with said elongated portion of said lock means forreleasably maintaining the latter retracted in opposition to said springmeans, and an additional spring coacting with said other lever forswinging the latter and said one lever therewith in the releasedirection upon withdrawal of a key from said key-operated means afterthe latter has been returned from said on to said off position, saidadditional spring acting through said other lever to return saiddisplacing member into the path of movement of a key which willsubsequently be introduced again into said key-operated means.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 and wherein a warning switch means coacts withsaid key-operated means for assuming a closed position as long as a keyis not withdrawn from said key-operated means even when the latter isreturned to said off position thereof, so that said warning switch meanscan form part of a circuit for warning the operator of the vehicle thatthe key has not been withdrawn from said key-operated means when theoperator opens a door of the vehicle, whereby the operator will bereminded to withdraw the key from the key-operated means to free saidreleasable holding means for movement to said release position so thatsaid lock means can assume said locking position thereof preventingturning of the steering column.